5 Major Lakes in Africa | USA Today 5 Major Lakes in Africa (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images ) Related Articles The Biggest Forests in Africa Africa contains the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, as well as the longest. Most of the major lakes in Africa lie along a continental fault line known as the East African Rift Valley, which runs through the southeastern portion of the continent, creating both spectacular mountains such as Kilimanjaro and a system of deep lakes known collectively as the Great Lakes of Africa. While not quite as large as the North American Great Lakes system, the system nonetheless looms significant in both the physical and economic geography of the continent -- and that's not to mention its physical beauty and stature. Lake Victoria Not only is Lake Victoria the largest lake in Africa, it is the second-largest freshwater lake in terms of area in the world. Bordered by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, it supports a diverse ecosystem of reefs and islands, including many unique species of fish. Lake Victoria is also one of the sources of the Nile River. The land around Lake Victoria is densely populated, and the lake plays an important economic role in the lives of the people there.

For tourists, sport fishing for Nile perch is a major attraction, as is birdwatching. Lake Tanganyika Lake Tanganyika is one of the 10 largest freshwater lakes in the world and the second deepest. Long and narrow -- in fact, the longest lake in the world -- it forms the entirety of the border between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and also borders Burundi to the north and Zambia to the south. The lake's warm blue waters make it especially attractive to swimmers; sport fishing is also a draw. Lake Nyasa Like Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa -- also known as Lake Malawi -- is part of the African Great Lakes system. It's the third-largest lake in the East African Rift Valley system, bordered by Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. Nyasa means "lake" in Bantu. The Malawi beaches are well-established tourist attractions, while Tanzanian beaches such as Matema Beach tend to be less developed. Lake Albert Lake Albert is also sometimes known as Lake Mobutu Sese Seko. The lake is relatively shallow, reaching only 80 feet in depth, but in terms of surface area it's the fourth largest of the Rift Valley lakes.

Its significant also for acting as a source of the White Nile river. Lake Albert borders Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Due to the terrain, which includes steep surrounding mountains, the shores of Lake Albert are sparsely populated, and the area is off the beaten path in terms of tourism, but visitors might be interested in the wildlife and forest preserves that surround the lake, as well as Muchison Falls National Park. Lake Chad Lake Chad is northern Africa's largest lake in terms of area, but it is strikingly shallow, reaching only 34 feet at its deepest point. This is in part because Lake Chad is surrounded by the arid Sahara Desert. In fact, the exact dimensions of the lake can vary widely from year to year depending on the local drought conditions. Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger share a border with the lake. Lake Chad is a vital wildlife sanctuary, and birdwatchers will find much to occupy themselves here. The best time to visit is during the rainy season, roughly August to December, when the water level is high.

References 5 Major Lakes in Africa | Getaway Tips - azcentral.com 5 Major Lakes in Africa by Dee Anna David-Ortega Share on Facebook Africa’s system of fresh-water lakes includes some of the most impressive in size and depth in the world. Many of these are a part of what is considered Africa’s “Great Lakes,” connecting with the Nile. The diverse sights and activities when visiting these lakes range from ancient history at archeological sites where fossils dating back millions of years have been discovered, to tourist-friendly shores offering a variety of excursions and water activity. Lake Victoria Surrounded by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is Africa's largest freshwater lake and the second largest freshwater lake in the world. The fishing community in the area can be seen in pursuit of the tilapia, sandpipers, herons, kingfishers and many other species in the lake. The waters are not considered suitable for swimming, but there are a variety of attractions in the area. Encompassed by the lake’s waters, Mfangano Island has some of the area’s most diverse bird population, as well as potted-neck otters, monkeys and monitor lizards who reside in the island’s lush jungle.

Archeology buffs will enjoy Rusinga Island where fossils dating back 18 million years have been found including the first complete Proconsul skull, one of the great links in human evolution. Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) The eighth largest lake in the world, Lake Nyasa (recognized as Lake Malawi by Malawian government), is a long, narrow body is also the second deepest lake in Africa and third largest of the East African Rift Valley. Bordered by Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, fishing villages are plentiful on the lake’s shore as the redbreast tilapia, kampango and other species are vital to the area’s economy. Shores on the Malawi side have been developed to accommodate tourism and have lodging options, while the crystal clear waters are safe for sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing and kayaking. The less-developed Matama Beach on the northern shore has of golden sand and warm, clean waters for swimming or simply taking in the views. Lake Kariba Built behind Africa’s largest man-made dam, Lake Kariba, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is the fourth largest man-made lake on earth.

The commercial fishing industry here thrives on the tiger fish, tasty bream and kapenta, a tiny sardine-like fish. The tourist-friendly area has a wide variety of activities including fishing, motor boat rentals, water sports, houseboat cruises or just soaking up the sunshine. Swimming in the lake, however, is not advised. There is a handful of lodging options on the shores as well as campsites. Lake Albert Africa’s seventh-largest lake, Lake Albert, located in the Rift Valley, is more than 90 miles long and 20 miles wide. It is shared by Uganda and the Congo DR, and is part of the upper Nile system. Some tourist-friendly development has been made on the Uganada side, with lodging available and activities including bird watching tours, horseback riding, fossil hunting, a fishing village tour and trails for walking and cycling. The lake’s waters are safe for swimming and the shore offers plenty of lounging space. Lake Tanganyika Lake Tanganyika is the seventh largest lake on earth, the longest freshwater lake and the second deepest lake on earth. Parts of the lake dive as deep as 4,700 feet.

The lake laps the countries of Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and the Congo DR. The waters here are so clean and clear that you can snorkel and scuba-dive to observe the more 350 species of fish. Mikumi and Katavi National Parks, set on the lake shores, has what Frommer’s describes as the “world's best wild chimpanzee viewing.” References Interesting Geography Facts Interesting Geography Facts Share By Matt Rosenberg Geographers search high and low for interesting facts about our world. They want to know "why" but also love to know what is the biggest/smallest, farthest/closest, and longest/shortest. Geographers also want to answer confusing questions, such as "What time is it at the South Pole?" Discover the world with some of these very fascinating facts. What Place on Earth Is Farthest From the Center of the Earth? Due to the bulge of earth at the Equator , the peak of Ecuador's Mount Chimborazo (20,700 feet or 6,310 meters) is the point farthest from the center of the Earth. Thus, the mountain claims the title of being the "highest point on Earth" (although Mt.

Everest is still the highest point above sea level). Mt. Chimorazo is an extinct volcano and is about one degree south of the Equator. How Does the Boiling Temperature of Water Change With Altitude? While at sea level, the boiling point of water is 212° Fahrenheit, it changes if you are higher than that. continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States How much does it change? For every 500-foot increase in elevation, the boiling point drops one degree. Thus, at a city 5,000 feet above sea level, water boils at 202°F. Why Is Rhode Island Called an Island? The state commonly called Rhode Island actually has the official name of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. "Rhode Island" is the island where the city of Newport sits today; however, the state also occupies mainland and three other major islands. Which Country Is Home to the Most Muslims? The world's fourth most populous country has the largest population of Muslims. Approximately 87% of Indonesia's population are Muslims; thus, with a population of 216 million, Indonesia is home to approximately 188 million Muslims.

The religion of Islam spread to Indonesia during the Middle Ages. Which Countries Produce and Export the Most Rice? Rice is a food staple worldwide and China is the world's leading rice producing country, producing just over one-third (33.9%) of the world's rice supply. Thailand is the world's leading rice exporter, however, and it is exporting 28.3% of the world's rice export. India is the world's second largest producer and exporter. What Are the Seven Hills of Rome? Rome was famously built upon seven hills. Rome was said to have been founded when Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars, ended up at the foot of the hill Palatine and founded the city. The other six hills are Capitoline (the seat of government), Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine. What Is Africa's Largest Lake? Africa's largest lake is Lake Victoria, located in eastern Africa at the border of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It's the world's second largest freshwater lake, following Lake Superior in North America.

Lake Victoria was named by John Hanning Speke, a British explorer and the first European to see the lake (1858), in honor of Queen Victoria. Which Country Is Least Densely Populated? The country with the world's lowest population density is Mongolia with a population density of approximately four people per square mile. Mongolia's 2.5 million people occupy over 600,000 square miles of land. Mongolia's overall density is limited as only a tiny proportion of the land can be used for agriculture, with the vast majority of the land only able to be used for nomadic herding. How Many Governments Exist in the United States? The 1997 Census of Government says it best... "There were 87,504 governmental units in the United States as of June 1997. In addition to the Federal Government and the 50 state governments, there were 87,453 units of local government.

Of these, 39,044 are general purpose local governments - 3,043 county governments and 36,001 subcounty general purpose governments, including 13,726 school distict governments and 34,683 special district governments." What's the Difference Between a Capital and a Capitol? The word "capitol" (with an "o") is used to refer to the building where a legislature (such as the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives) meets; the word "capital" (with an "a") refers to the city which serves as the seat of government. You can remember the difference by thinking of the "o" in the word "capitol" as a dome, like the dome of the U.S. Capitol in the capital Washington D.C. Where Is Hadrian's Wall? Hadrian's Wall is located in northern Great Britain (the main island of the U.K. ) and stretched for nearly 75 miles (120 km) from Solwat Firth in the west to the Tyne River near Newcastle in the east.

The wall was built under the direction of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the second century to keep the Caledonians of Scotland out of England. Portions of the wall are still in existence today. What Is the Deepest Lake in the United States? The deepest lake in the U.S. is Oregon's Crater Lake . Crater Lake lies within the collapsed crater of an ancient volcano named Mount Mazama and is 1,932 feet deep (589 meters). The clear water of Crater Lake has no streams to feed it and no streams as outlets - it was filled and is supported by precipitation and snow melt. Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is the world's seventh deepest lake and contains 4.6 trillion gallons of water. Why Was Pakistan a Divided Country Between East and West? In 1947, the British left South Asia and divided their territory into the independent countries of India and Pakistan . Muslim regions that were on the east and west sides of Hindu India became part of Pakistan. The two separate territories were part of one country but were known as East and West Pakistan and were separated by over 1,000 miles (1,609 km).

After 24 years of turmoil, East Pakistan declared independence and became Bangladesh in 1971. What Time Is It at the North and South Pole? Since lines of longitude converge at the North and South Pole, it is almost impossible (and very impractical) to determine which time zone you are in based on the longitude. Therefore, researchers in the Arctic and Antarctic regions of the Earth usually use the time zone associated with their research stations. For example, since nearly all flights to Antarctica and the South Pole are from New Zealand, New Zealand time is the most commonly used time zone in Antarctica. What Is Europe and Russia's longest river? The longest river in Russia and Europe is the Volga River, which flows entirely within Russia for 2,290 miles (3,685 km). Its source is in the the Valdai Hills, near the city of Rzhev, and flows to the Caspian Sea in the southern part of Russia. The Volga River is navigable for much of its length and, with the addition of dams, has become important for power and irrigation. Canals link it to the River Don as well as to the Baltic and White Seas.

What Proportion of Humans Who Have Ever Lived Are Alive Today? At some point over the last few decades, someone started a notion to alarm people that population growth was out of control by stating that a majority of the humans who have ever lived were alive today. Well, that's a gross overestimate. Most studies place the total number of human beings to have ever lived at 60 billion to 120 billion. Since the world population right now is a mere 6 billion, the percent of humans who have ever lived and are alive today is anywhere from a mere 5 to 10 percent. The Great Lakes of East Africa The Great Lakes of East Africa by Marc Elieson This article has the purpose of introducing you to the three great lakes of east Africa: Lakes Victoria, Malawi, and Tanganyika. These three lakes are in eastern Africa, nestled in and around what is known as Africaï¿½s Great Rift Valley. This depression extends for more than 3,000 miles, beginning in Syria and traveling through southwestern Asia before it enters into southeastern Africa.

This valley is anywhere from 18 to 60 miles wide, and ranges in elevation from 1,300 feet below sea level to 6,000 feet. This valley contains some of Africaï¿½s most spectacular scenery, being flanked by volcanoes and mountains, including Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, at 19,340 feet. The Great Rift Valley was formed some 25 million years as Africa and Eurasia collided, which caused the earthï¿½s crust in eastern Africa to drop while the two recoiling twin faults pulled apart. The effect has been likened to the keystone of an arch dropping as the side pillars collapse. In eastern Africa the valley separates into two branches: the Eastern Rift and the Western Rift. The Eastern Rift, or main section of the valley, cuts across Ethiopia and then south across Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi to Mozambique. Lake Malawi lies in the Eastern Rift branch. Just north of Lake Malawi is the western branch, which runs north along the eastern border of Zaire. Within this branch of the Great Rift Valley are Lake Tanganyika and several other smaller lakes, including Lakes Edward and Albert.

Lake Victoria does not lie in the Great Rift Valley but between its main and western branches. LAKE VICTORIA: Also known as Victoria Nyanza, Lake Victoria is bordered by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It has an area of 26,830 square miles (the size of Ireland), and is 250 miles long at its greatest width, making it the worldï¿½s second largest freshwater lake, after Lake Superior. It also has an average depth of 120 feet, with its deepest point reaching 250 feet. Lake Victoria receives its water from many rivers, the largest being the Kagera. The lake then drains into the Nile through Owen Falls, where there is a man-made hydroelectric dam. Of note, Lake Victoria is the youngest of the three rift lakes. Lake Victoria was once home to more than 500 different species of haplochromine Cichlids before Nile perch were introduced to the lake by the lakeï¿½s residents.

Introduced in the 1950s to provide food for the people of the lake and develop commercial fishery, these predators grow up to 6 feet long, and have successfully wiped out some 250 of these 500 Cichlid species. The diversity of species is incredible when you realize that all of western Europe hosts only around 60 species of freshwater fish. Even more astonishing is that it's believed that all of these different species evolved from a single progenitor: Astatotilapia nubile. It should also be noted that there are no extreme types of Victorian Cichlids that are not connected by a number of intermediate species. This has made classifying and grouping these fish extremely difficult for taxonomists. Con-sequently, more than 95% of the Cichlid species endemic to Lake Victoria belong to the old generic genus Haplochromis. Despite their default classification as all belonging to one large genus, very few generalizations can be made. One of the generalizations that is safe to make is that all but one species are maternal mouthbrooders. Also, these species are best kept in groups, not pairs.

The water in Lake Victoria is much less clear than that in Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika. Transparency has been measured between less than 4 and 10 feet in inshore areas. The pH is alkaline, ranging from 7.2 to 8.6, and carbonate hardness is between 2 and 8 dH. The temperature can be as low as 70 degrees at the surface during the dry season and reaches 81 degrees during the wet season. Interestingly, it receives more rainfall (about 200 to 250 centimeters a year) in the middle than anywhere near its edges. Some biotopes of the lake resemble those of Lake Malawi, with lots of large rocks (see photo). LAKE MALAWI: Lake Malawi, known locally as Lake Nyasa, is the ninth largest lake in the world and lies between the countries of Malawi on the west and Tanzania and Mozambique on the east. It is 360 miles long and 25 miles wide, with an approximate area of 8,683 sq mi, and reaches depths of 2,300 feet. The lake has a visibility of up to 70 feet.

Lake Malawi contains a greater variety of indigenous species of Cichlid fishes than any other lake in the world. World Wildlife Fund researchers have identified over 500 species to date that are not found anywhere else in the world. That is more than all of the freshwater species found in all the waters of both Europe and North America. The Cichlids of Lake Malawi, perhaps even more so than the Cichlids from the other two rift lakes, are brightly colored and patterned. For this reason, they have been a big hit with aquarists all over the world. Among these popular Cichlids are the Mbuna and the Haps. The ï¿½Mbunaï¿½ (i.e., rock-dwelling fish) are a large group of Cichlids that live among large piles of rocks along the shoreline. They are usually seen in large groups, but are by no means a schooling fish. In some areas of Lake Malawi, 20 fish per square meter is not uncommon. Both sexes of the more than 100 species of Mbuna are unusually colorful, whereas typically, only males have color. They are very colorful with bright patterns of horizontal stripes or vertical bars.

Mbuna are smaller and tend to have flat faces, which enables them to better scrape algae from rocks. These consist mostly of, but not limited to, the genera Pseudotropheus, Labidochromis, Mealnochromis, Labeotropheus and Metriaclima. Haps, for want of a better name, are basically a non-Mbuna flock that are informally called ï¿½Hapsï¿½ because many of these fish once belonged to the broad genus Haplochromis Hilgendorf. Most Haps are piscivores, unlike the vegetarian Mbuna. There are some exceptions to this generalization, however, but these do well on a piscovore's diet nonetheless. Haps are aggressive, but not as aggressive as the vegetarian Mbuna. They have long, slender, almost torpedo-like bodies, and cruise the open water. Most of these fish are silver or gray when small, and the males become very brightly colored as they mature. Females typically remain without color. For more information on Haps and Mbuna, see Haps Vs. Mbuna . The water chemistry in Lake Malawi is very similar to that of Lake Victoria.

For this reason, many species from these two lakes can be housed together. Lake Malawi's pH ranges from 7.8 to 8.6, with a total hardness of 4.0-6.0 dH. The reason for the variation is caused by the level of Carbon Dioxide dissolved in the water. In areas with turbulent water, where the water is better aerated, the pH is higher, while in calm bays, the level of dissolved Carbon Dioxide is higher; consequently, the pH is lower there. Surface temperature ranges from 76 to 85 degrees, while the temperature at lower levels of the lake remain at a constant 70 degrees. Carbonate hardness ranges from 6.0 to 8.0. About one third of the coast is rocky, which is home to the mbunas. The remaining shoreline is characterized by sandy beaches and bottoms. This is where most of the open-water Haps and peacocks dwell. A few Cichlid species inhabit the muddy and weed-strewn bottom where larger rivers flow into the lake. The shores of the lake are generally sandy, and the resort areas are generally bilharzias free.

Lake Malawi is unusual in that it does not have tides or currents. LAKE TANGANYIKA: Lake Tanganyika is the longest lake in the world, boasting a length of 420 miles, and is the second deepest in the world, reaching a depth of 4,710 feet. It is the second largest lake in Africa, after Lake Victoria, covering about 12,700 square miles. At its widest point it is 45 miles wide. It is bordered on the east by Tanzania, on the north by Burundi, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaï¿½re), and on the south by Zambia. Lake Tanganyikaï¿½s only outlet is the Lukuga River, which flows into the Congo River. As a result of having just one outlet, this rift lake has a particularly high mineral content. This is because most of the salts that flow into it don't leave, but rather get left behind as the water evaporates. The water chemistry of Lake Tanganyika, is much more alkaline and hard than is the water from Lakes Malawi and Victoria.

Its pH levels range from 8.6 to 9.5, with a total hardness of 11-17 dH, and carbonate hardness being between 16 and 19 dH. The water in the lake is very clear, with visibility up to 70 feet. In the upper 130 feet, the water is oxygen-rich. This is an important point to consider when caring for Tanganyikans in captivity. Their water should be as close to saturation as possible. Surface temperature ranges from 76 to 82 degrees, while the temperature at lower levels of the lake remain at a constant 70 degrees. It is important to keep the temperature of the water within this range, as water with a temperature higher than 84 degrees can be lethal to Tanganyikans. This is because as the temperature increases, their metabolism speeds up, and their demand for oxygen increases with it. At 85 degrees the oxygen content must be near saturation of they will die of suffocation. The lake is known for its many varieties of fish, of which are almost 200 unique Cichlid species. Crocodiles and hippopotamuses are often found on the shores of the lake.

The biotope of the lake is sandy, and therefore, these fish are best kept in an aquarium with sand, not gravel. This is especially true of the sand-dwelling species. Many of the Tanganyikan species are small and can be housed in 10 and 20-gallon aquariums, such as the shell-dwelling genera Neolamprologus and Lamprologus. African Great Lakes - New World Encyclopedia African Great Lakes Next (African dance) The Great Lakes and the East African coastline as seen from space. The Indian Ocean can be seen to the right. The Great Lakes of Africa are a series of lakes in and around the Great Rift Valley . They include Lake Victoria , the second largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of surface area, and Lake Tanganyika , the world's second largest in volume as well as the second deepest. Despite their beauty, the Great Lakes also rank as one of the world's most endangered water systems. The term "Great Lakes" in the African context is a rather loose one. Unlike their North American counterparts, the three largest lakes have a host of middle-sized and small lakes nearby, though the small ones would be considered very substantial in many countries of the world.

There is no accepted size criterion for "Great Lake." Contrary to early European explorers' assumptions that one lake was the source of the Nile River , it is now accepted that glaciers in the Ruwezori Mountains and more than one lake and river feed the Nile's waters. Burundi claims to be the site of the springs that flow into the Kagera River, the largest of the several rivers that feed into Lake Victoria before the water exits the lake at Ripon Falls as the Victoria Nile. But a smaller system of rivers drains the Virungas and Ruwenzori mountains and the land between them and empties into Lake Albert, where the water joins with the Victoria Nile and then flows north as the White Nile. Contents The large rift lakes of Africa are the ancient home of great biodiversity ; 10 percent of the world's fish species are found there. Lakes Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi hold a quarter of the planet's freshwater supply. Geography The lakes are divided between three different catchments (river basins), and a number have no exit.

The following, in order of size from largest to smallest, are included on most lists of the African Great Lakes: Lake Victoria Lake Victoria (68,800 square kilometers; elevation 1,133 meters) is the continent's largest lake, the largest tropical lake in the world, and the second largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of surface area. Lake Tanganyika (32,000 square kilometers; elevation 773 meters) is the largest and deepest of the Rift Valley lakes and is thought to be the second-oldest lake on the planet (after Lake Baikal ); part of the Congo River basin, it feeds into it via the Lukuga River Lake Malawi (29,600 square kilometers; elevation ) is the most southerly lake in the Great African Rift Valley system, the third largest lake in Africa , and the ninth largest in the world Lake Turkana (6,405 square kilometers; elevation 360 meters) is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake. By volume it is the world's fourth largest salt lake.

Lake Albert (5,300 square kilometers; elevation 615 meters) is the northernmost lake in the Western Rift Lake Edward (2,325 square kilometers; elevation 912 meters) drains north into Lake Albert Lake Kivu 2,220 square kilometers; elevation 1,460 meters) empties into Lake Tanganyika via the Ruzizi River Some call only Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, and Lake Edward the Great Lakes as they are the only three that empty into the White Nile, which feeds into the Nile River . Lake Kyoga is part of the Great Lakes system but is not itself considered a Great Lake, based on its size. Lake Tanganyika and Lake Kivu both empty into the Congo River system, while Lake Malawi is drained by the Shire River into the Zambezi . Lake Turkana has no outlet. Two other lakes close to Lake Tanganyika do not appear on the lists despite being larger than Edward and Kivu: Lake Rukwa and Lake Mweru.

Because the term is a loose one, it is often preferable to use other categorizations such as "African Rift Valley Lakes" or "East African Lakes." The lakes of the Western, or Albertine Rift, together with Lake Victoria, include the largest, deepest, and oldest of the Rift Valley lakes. Climate The highlands are relatively cool, with average temperatures in the mid-60s (Fahrenheit) and abundant rainfall . Major drainage basins include those of the Congo -Zaire, Nile , and Zambezi rivers, which drain into the Atlantic Ocean , Mediterranean Sea , and Indian Ocean , respectively. Forests are dominant in the lowlands of the Congo-Zaire Basin, while grasslands and savannas are most common in the southern and eastern highlands. Temperatures in the lowlands average a hot mid-90s (Fahrenheit). Around Lake Turkana, the climate is hot and very dry. A short rainy season in October is followed by a longer one from April to May. Flora and fauna The Western Rift Valley lakes are freshwater and home to an extraordinary number of endemic species. Approximately 1,500 cichlid fish species live in the lakes, as well as other fish families.

(Cichlids are perch-like fishes that occur only in tropical and subtropical freshwaters. The family contains more species than any other fish family.) The lakes are also important habitats for a number of amphibian species. Crocodiles are numerous. Mammals include elephants , gorillas , and hippopotamus . The Lake Turkana region is home to hundreds of species of birds endemic to Kenya . The flamingo wades in its shallows. The East African rift system also serves as a flyway for migrating birds, bringing in hundreds more. The birds are essentially supported by plankton masses in the lake, which also feed the fish there. Vegetation ranges from rainforest to savanna grasses. In some lakes, rapidly growing invasive plants, like the surface-choking water hyacinth and shore-clogging papyrus , are problems. Water hyacinth have thus far affected only Lake Victoria . Geology Until 12 million years ago, the bountiful waters of the equatorial plateau either flowed west into the Congo River system or east to the Indian Ocean. Creation of the Great Rift Valley changed that.

A rift is a weak place in Earth 's crust due to the separation of two tectonic plates , often accompanied by a graben, or trough, in which lake water can collect. This rift began when East Africa , impelled by currents in the mantle, began separating from the rest of Africa , moving to the northeast. The basins that resulted from the geological uplifts filled with water that now flowed north. Lake Victoria is not actually within the Rift Valley; it occupies a depression between the Eastern and Western Rifts, formed by the uplift of the rifts to either side. Anthropology Around two to three million years ago, Lake Turkana was larger and the area more fertile, making it a center for early hominids . Richard Leakey has led numerous anthropological digs in the area, which have led to many important discoveries of hominin remains. The two-million-year-old Skull 1470 was found in 1972. It was originally thought to be Homo habilis , but some anthropologists have assigned it to a new species, Homo rudolfensis, named after the lake (previously known as Lake Rudolf).

In 1984, the Turkana Boy, a nearly complete skeleton of a Homo erectus boy was discovered. More recently, a 3,500,000-year-old skull was discovered there, named Kenyanthropus platyops, which means "The Flat-Faced Man of Kenya". Great Lakes region The term Great Lakes region is, like Great Lakes itself, somewhat loose. It is used in a narrow sense for the area lying between northern Lake Tanganyika , western Lake Victoria , and lakes Kivu, Edward and Albert. This comprises Burundi , Rwanda , northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo , Uganda , and northwestern Kenya and Tanzania . It is used in a wider sense to extend to all of Kenya and Tanzania, but not usually as far south as Zambia , Malawi , and Mozambique nor as far north as Ethiopia , though these four countries border one of the Great Lakes. An estimated 107 million people live in the Great Lakes region. The area described in the narrow sense above is one of the most densely populated areas of Africa . Because of past volcanic activity, this area contains some of Africa's best farmland.

Its altitude gives it a sub-tropical climate despite being right on the equator , becoming temperate in the mountains. This makes tropical diseases of humans and livestock , such as trypanosomiasis, less prevalent, so that, for instance, cattle and other susceptible animals thrive. These factors encouraged the growth of human population. This increased population is now competing for the habitat used by many endangered species, including the mountain gorilla and the forest elephant . Governments in the region are attempting to lessen the impact through integrated conservation and development projects. Because of the density of population and the agricultural surplus in the region, the area became highly organized into a number of small states. The most powerful of these monarchies were Rwanda , Burundi , Buganda, and Bunyoro. Unusually for sub-Saharan Africa , the traditional borders were largely maintained by the colonial powers. Around Lake Turkana, in the eastern branch of the rift, in contrast, desert-like conditions prevail. The area is sparsely inhabited by nomadic pastoralists raising camels , sheep , and goats . Being the much-sought-after source of the Nile River , the region had long been of interest to Europeans.

The first to arrive in the region in any numbers were missionaries, who had limited success in converting the locals but did open the region to later colonization. The increased contact with the rest of the world led to a series of devastating epidemics affecting both humans and livestock. These decreased the region's population dramatically, by up to 60 percent in some areas. The region did not return to its precolonial population until the 1950s. While seen as a region with great potential after independence, the region has in recent decades been marred by civil war and conflict, from which only Kenya and Tanzania have largely escaped. The worst affected areas have been left in great poverty . Burundi, Rwanda, and the DRC have relaunched the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL), which was created in 1976 but had been inactive because of strife in the region. Their goal is to facilitate cooperation and resolve conflict in the Great Lakes, with particular attention to the problem of armed groups operating in eastern Congo.

One group, the so-called "rasta" rebels, is made up largely of former Rwandan rebels who have been active in the remote mountains and forests of the eastern DRC since the Hutu-led genocide of minority Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994. The CEPGL will permit the free movement of people and goods, and there are plans to create a regional bank and an institute for agricultural research. More than 3.5 million people have died as a result of conflict in the eastern DRC. Although conditions have improved, there are continuing incidents of violence in the area and the situation remains volatile. In 2007, the DRC agreed to step up its offensive against the rebels but ruled out intervention by foreign troops. Economy Fishing —primarily of tilapia species but also of Nile perch—provides the main livelihood. With four Great Lakes on its borders, Uganda ranks as one of the world's largest producers of freshwater fish. The climate and rich volcanic soils in the highlands sustain intensely cultivated croplands. The economies of the Great Lakes region states have different structures and are at various stages of development.

The GDP real growth rate ranges from 5.1 percent in Burundi to 6.4 in DRC. GDP per capita fluctuates between $700 in DRC and Burundi and $1,900 in Uganda. East African Community Daily life on Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya, 2007. The East African Community (EAC), which had been dissolved in 1977 due to political and economic differences among Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, was revived in 1999. The new regional organization also includes Burundi and Rwanda. Its headquarters are located in Arusha, Tanzania. Under the auspices of the EAC treaty signed in 1999, the members are negotiating the framework for a customs union, with a view of establishing a common regional market. Officials also envisage a monetary and political union in a process they say could take up to 20 years. The region's principal exports are mainly agricultural products. These include horticulture, tea, coffee , cotton , tobacco , pyrethrum, fish , and hides and skins. Other exports include handicrafts and minerals such as gold , diamonds , gemstones, soda ash, and limestone .

Tourism is also one of the major sources of foreign exchange. The region's major imports are machinery and other capital equipment, industrial supplies and raw materials, motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts, fertilizer, and petroleum products. The major trading partners of the region are the European Union, Japan , China, India , United Arab Emirates , and Saudi Arabia . The regional cooperation and integration envisaged in the EAC is broad based, covering trade, investments and industrial development; monetary and fiscal affairs; infrastructure and services; human resources, science and technology ; agriculture and food security; environment and natural resources management; tourism and wildlife management; and health, social, and cultural activities. Other areas of cooperation include free movement of factors of production and cooperation in political matters, including defense, security, foreign, legal, and judicial affairs. Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries Representatives of Rwanda, Burundi, and DRC met in Brussels in 2004 to revive the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries. Their plans entail boosting key shared institutions such as the Great Lakes Development Bank, the Institute of Agronomic and Zootechnic Research, the International Electricity Company for the Great Lakes Countries.

The sectors that could underpin regional integration include infrastructure, transport, communications, banking, energy, and agriculture. The relaunch program included a budget for the first year of $970,000, financed primarily by Belgium and the European Union. The organization will permit the free movement of people and goods within the region. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda are also members of the Community of East and Southern African States (COMESA), formed in 1994 and composed of 20 countries. Tanzania withdrew in 2000, citing a high trade imbalance with COMESA-member countries, particularly Kenya. In October 2000, COMESA launched its free trade program, creating schedules for internal tariff reductions. By the end of 2004, COMESA aims to have a common external tariff structure for all third party trade, among other regional and cooperative goals. Demographics Since 1998, regional armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resulted in an estimated four million deaths due to fighting, disease , and malnutrition, and caused the displacement of more than three million residents.

The 1999 Lusaka Peace Accords laid the foundation for the formation of a transitional government, the adoption of a new constitution, and national and local elections. Armed groups continue, however, to create areas of insecurity in the eastern area. Due to the effects of conflict and continued insecurity, nearly 1.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as 2.2 million former IDPs and refugees returning to their areas of origin, continue to require emergency assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Poverty is widespread, and the health care system has eroded due to a lack of resources and looting. Throughout eastern DRC, insecurity hinders access to agricultural land and traditional markets. By the end of 2007, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expected to have helped 66,000 refugees return to the DRC. Another 300,000 are still in neighboring countries.

According to the UNHCR report, Tanzania has the highest number of Congolese refugees, with 104,048 people, followed by Zambia , with 56,337; Rwanda 45,780, the Republic of Congo 32,558; and Burundi 26,135. The figure for Congolese refugees in Uganda , 27,797, does not take into account the latest influx after fighting in August and September of 2007. Sources and further reading Chrétien, Jean-Pierre. The Great Lakes of Africa: Two Thousand Years of History, translated by Scott Straus, Zone Books; New Ed edition, 2006. ISBN 1890951358 Pavitt, Nigel. 2001. Africa's Great Rift Valley. New York: Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 0810906023 East Africa. Amsterdam: Time Life Books, 1986. ISBN 0809453193 Holmes, Martha, Gavin Maxwell, and Tim Scoones. Nile.

London: BBC Books, 2004. ISBN 0563487135 External Links All links retrieved February 16, 2016. Lakes of Africa Wetlands of International Importance Lakes of Africa Lakes are the source of many great rivers in Africa, provide enormous amounts of fresh water fish and water to many of the continents inhabitants and are home to unique aquatic and terrestrial species. Africa holds some of the largest lakes in the world. Africa’s largest lakes are Lake Victoria (Lake Ukerewe), Lake Chad, in the centre of the continent, and Lake Tanganika, lying between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia. Livelihoods Lakes are important resources of water for agriculture, household use, but of course of fish. Sithole estimated that lakes in Africa support 16-17 per cent of inland fisheries, making Uganda one of the largest freshwater fish producers in the world. Across much of the continent, lake freshwater fisheries provide an important source of food and livelihood for millions of people. Photo: Lake Magadi. By Vic Klabbers Great lakes The most important lake area in Africa is undoubtedly that of the Great Lakes.

The African Great Lakes are a series of lakes constituting the part of the Rift Valley lakes in and around the East African Rift. They include Lake Malawi (or Lake Nyasa), with over 500 endemic fish species, and Lake Victoria. Their high lake plateau contains the headwaters of both the Nile and the Congo rivers. Lake Victoria is the size of Ireland and second largest fresh water lake in the world in terms of surface area. Lake Victoria receives its water from many rivers, the largest being the Kagera. The lake then drains into the Nile through Owen Falls, where there is a man-made hydroelectric dam. Locals introduced the Nile perch, which became the top predator wiping out many endemic fish species. Also part of the Great Lakes is Lake Tanganyika, the world's second largest in volume as well as the second deepest. Lake Tanganyika’s only outlet is the Lukuga River, which flows into the Congo River. It is home to hippos and crocodiles and varieties of fish, of which are almost 200 unique Cichlid species. Threats Despite their beauty, these great lakes rank as one of the world's most endangered water systems.

Deforestation, agricultural and industrial pollution, urban waste water and overfishing severely affect the health of many of the lakes and their water basins. Then there are the threats to rivers that also impact Africa’s lakes. Huge hydropower dams with extensive reservoirs decrease the critical water flow, but also block the routes of many migratory species, such as fish and manatees. These dams are found throughout the continent: Kariba on the river of Zambezi, Asuan in Egypt on the river of Nile, and the biggest dam of the continent: Akosombo on the Volta River in Ghana (Fobil 2003). Furthermore, extensive irrigation for cash crop cultivation and other agriculture put severe limits on water availability, causing lake water levels to drop and turning permanent rivers into seasonal streams. On the African continent as a whole, 85 per cent of water withdrawals are used for agriculture-and the percentage is even higher in sub-Saharan Africa. Example: Lake Natron, Kenya Lake Natron in Kenya is Africa’s most important Wetlands of International Importance. It is the only breeding site of the East-African population of Lesser Flamingo.

The Lake Natron Basin – being part of the Serengeti ecosystem - was listed as Tanzania’s second Ramsar site in 2001. The 58 x 15 km lake which is only 0.5 – 2 m deep was nominated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as a representative example of a Rift Valley soda lake in East Africa. However, the Lake is under severe threat by the renewed plans by the Tanzanian government to mine for soda ash in the lake. Read more Example: Lake Ichkeul, Tunisia Lake Ichkeul (photo top) is one of only four major wetlands in Africa that have been declared as a World Heritage Site. The Ichkeul National Park is part of an estuarine wetland system on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia, where 250,000 ducks, geese and coots used to over-winter. Numbers were drastically reduced - to about a tenth of that number - as a result of dam construction and water abstraction upstream. By developing a water resource allocation decision-making tool, we introduced equitable water use for all users, as well as biodiversity.

Read more Example: Lake Chad In Lake Chad, a lake shared by Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger, climate change, the demand for irrigation water upstream, and poor management decisions in the basin have reduced the size of the lake by 90% over the past 40 years. The net effect on the 20 million people, mainly fishers and farmers, who rely directly on the lake is rising levels of malnutrition, in turn leading to a much increased vulnerability to diseases. Read more Contact us AFRICA - Explore the Regions - Great Lakes The Great Lakes of Africa include some of the largest and most ecologically diverse freshwater systems on the planet. Twisting down the two arms of the Great Rift Valley like a chain of sapphires, the lakes are located in nine countries in East and Central Africa. Eight of the 15 lakes in this region are considered to rank as "great lakes," a testimony to their size and depth. Lake Victoria, located between Uganda to the west and Tanzania and Kenya to the east, ranks as the second-largest freshwater lake in the world after the U.S.' Lake Superior. Lake Taganayika, located on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, ranks as one of the deepest.

Each lake has its own eco-system, dependent on rainfall, proximity to the equator and land elevation. The region's rich soils provide a powerful lure for humans. Several million Bantu-speaking people live within 50 miles of Lake Victoria, making it one of the most heavily populated areas in Africa. Population densities are similarly high along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Fishing -- primarily of tilapia species, but also of Nile perch -- provides the main livelihood. With four Great Lakes on its borders, Uganda ranks as one of the world's largest producers of freshwater fish. But, pollution, introduction of non-native fish and over-fishing have all wreaked havoc. Despite their beauty, the Great Lakes also rank as one of the world's most endangered water systems. Largest Lakes in the World by Area, Volume and Depth Share By Matt Rosenberg This page includes three lists of the world's largest lakes. They are ranked by surface area, volume, and depth. The first list is surface area: Largest Lakes by Surface Area 1. Caspian Sea - Asia - 371,000 sq km (143,000 sq mi)* 2.

Lake Superior - North America - 82,100 sq km (31,698 sq mi) 3. Lake Victoria - Africa - 68,800 sq km (26,563 sq mi) 4. Lake Huron - North America - 59,600 sq km (23,011 sq mi) 5. Lake Michigan - North America - 57,800 sq km (22,316 sq mi) 6. Lake Tanganyika - Africa - 32,900 sq km (12,702 sq mi) 7. Great Bear Lake - North America - 31,328 sq km (12,095 sq mi) 8. Baikal - Asia - 30,500 sq km (11,776 sq mi) 9. Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa) - Africa - 30,044 sq km (11,600 sq mi) 10.

Great Slave Lake - North America - 28,568 sq km (11.030 sq mi) Source: The Times Atlas of the World Largest Lakes by Volume 1. Baikal - Asia 23,600 cubic km** 2. Tanganyika- Africa - 18,900 cubic km 3. Superior - North America - 11,600 cubic km 4. Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa) - Africa - 7,725 cubic km 5. continue reading below our video 4 Tips for Improving Test Performance Lake Michigan - North America - 4900 cubic km 6. Lake Huron - North America - 3540 cubic km 7. Lake Victoria - Africa - 2,700 cubic km 8. Great Bear Lake - North America - 2,236 cubic km 9. Issyk-Kul (Ysyk-Kol) - Asia - 1,730 cubic km 10. Lake Ontario - North America - 1,710 cubic km Source: Wikipedia Deepest Lakes in the World 1.

Lake Baikal - Asia - 1,637 m (5,369 ft) 2. Lake Tanganyika - Africa - 1,470 m (4,823 ft) 3. Caspian Sea - Asia - 1,025 m (3,363 ft) 4. O'Higgins Lake (San Martin Lake) - South America - 836 m (2,742 ft) 5. Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa) - Africa - 706 m (2,316 ft) Source: Wikipedia * Some consider the Caspian Sea not to be a lake but it is surrounded by land and thus meets the generally accepted definition of a lake. ** Lake Baikal holds one-fifth of the world's freshwater.

Question: Which is the largest lake in Africa?
Answer: LAKE VICTORIA